Mayor proclaims May as Motorcycle Awareness Month

By DOUG McDONOUGH Herald Editor

Published 4:49 am, Saturday, May 3, 2014

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Harlistas Riding Club representatives Manuel Ramos (left), who is president, and Jared Ontiveros are urging all motorists to make a special effort to be aware of motorcyclists who are sharing the road during May, which has been designated as Motorcycle Awareness Month in Plainview and throughout the state. less

Harlistas Riding Club representatives Manuel Ramos (left), who is president, and Jared Ontiveros are urging all motorists to make a special effort to be aware of motorcyclists who are sharing the road during ... more

Dunlap issued his proclamation Friday at the urging of members of the Harlistas Riding Club in Plainview.

Club President Manuel Ramos said it’s important for motorists to always be aware of motorcycle riders who are sharing the road. However, with the arrival of warmer weather, increasing numbers of motorcyclist will be out, sharing the road with automobiles, pickups and trucks.

“Probably the biggest problem we have involves other drivers talking on cell phones, and simply just not paying attention,” said Harlistas member Jared Ontiveros. “I always watch the tires on a car when it pulls up to a stop sign. If they don’t stop rolling, that usually means that the driver didn’t see me and will just roll through the intersection without stopping.

“If I’m on my bike and riding in the next lane while they are on the cell phone, there’s a good chance they will pull into my lane without looking,” he added.

Dunlap’s proclamation notes that many individuals operate motorcycles for pleasure and enjoyment.

With the approaching warm weather, it notes, increasing numbers of motorcyclists will be on the highway.

Each year, the proclamation stresses, many thousand motorcyclists are injured or killed as a result of motorcycle accidents on roadways.

“This is a reminder to motorists and motorcyclists alike to share the road in order to help prevent motorcycle crashes, deaths and injuries on local roads.”

The proclamation concludes in encouraging operators of motorcycles, trucks and automobiles to be conscious of their respective responsibilities on the public roads throughout Plainview.